2/1/2014 12:15 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF

Fun Fact: In the NFL, it's perfectly LEGAL to tackle an opposing player by the hair if it's hanging out of the helmet.

Funner Fact: Players who pull hair deserve to get their ASSES KICKED because they've made things "personal" ... so says LaVar Arrington.

The former NFL defensive stud -- who has some luscious dreadlocks of his own -- says there's an unspoken code among players regarding the "mane" ... and violators NEED to be dealt with.

Of course, Arrington must REALLY hate guys like Jason Babin (JAX) ... who ripped Andre Ellington's (ARIZ) dreadlocks out of his skull during a game earlier this season ... and then displayed it to the crowd like a trophy.

See More:

6/25/2013 8:34 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

EXCLUSIVE

NFL superstar Maurice Jones-Drew will NOT be charged with battery for allegedly socking a security guard in the face during a bar fight in Florida last month ... TMZ has learned.

The State Attorney's Office in Florida announced ... they do not believe they have enough evidence to prove the Jacksonville Jaguars running back committed a crime during the May 26 incident at the Conch House in St. Augustine, FL.

"Based on the evidence, the evidence does not support the charge," a rep for the SA tells TMZ.

We broke the story ... a security guard told police MJD suckerpunched him during a melee ... causing serious damage to his face. Cops initially identified MJD as a person of interest.

5/28/2013 1:10 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

breaking news

The St. Augustine PD is doing some hardcore backpedaling ... admitting they ACCIDENTALLY told the media Maurice Jones-Drew was charged with battery, when in fact, he hasn't been charged with anything ... yet.

Earlier today, the S.A.P.D. issued a statement to the media ... which stated very clearly, "The [S.A.P.D.] has filed charges of misdemeanor battery against Jacksonville Jaguars player Maurice Jones-Drew that stemmed from an altercation at the Conch House 'Reggae Sundays.'"

Now, a rep for the S.A.P.D. tells TMZ ... they screwed up and "misrepresented" the situation.

According to cops ... no charges have been filed against Jones-Drew, however, he IS being investigated for allegedly punching a security guard in the face ... and is a "person of interest."

Cops say Jones-Drew and his attorney are being cooperative with the investigation. After the investigation is complete, we're told the case will be sent to the State Attorney's Office, which will determine if charges will be filed.

See More:

2/3/2013 8:20 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF

EXCLUSIVE

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew missed most of the season with a fractured foot, but he didn't let that stop him from partying in New Orleans last night ... on a scooter.

MJD underwent surgery last month after only playing in five games this season. He wasn't about to let the injury make him miss the Super Bowl, where we spotted him all dressed up and wheeling his way around town.

The three-time All-Pro is no stranger to partying on wheels ... we spotted him out in Hollywood last month doing the same thing.

1/27/2013 6:20 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF

The Jacksonville Jaguars only won two games last season and are in DESPERATE need of help at quarterback, but tight end Marcedes Lewis wants no part of Tim Tebow.

Tebow's future with the New York Jets is tenuous at best and most experts think the team will send him packing this offseason.

And while the GM of the Jags has already come out and said he doesn't see Tebow joining his hometown team, Lewis hammered the point home last night in Hollywood ... telling our photog, "We need a guy that's going to put us over the hump right now. Not a project."

See More:

1/24/2013 5:15 AM PST BY TMZ STAFF

EXCLUSIVE

It's been roughly 6 weeks since Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew had surgery to fix his busted foot ... but last night, the dude was back in public and rollin' around Hollywood ... literally.

MJD hit up Supperclub in L.A. last night ... with the help of a modified scooter to keep the pressure off his left foot.

FYI -- Maurice injured his foot back in October, but for some unexplained reason, waited until the end of December to go under the knife. Neither Jones nor the Jags have revealed any specifics about the injury.

MJD definitely isn't the first athlete to hit the Hollywood club scene while sportin' a delicate injury -- L.A. Dodgers star Matt Kemp took his busted shoulder out to Supperclub just 4 days after rotator cuff surgery.

It might be risky to take a busted body part to a nightclub ... where drunk people and crowds could easily bump into you ... but it's not like he has to get back on the field anytime soon.